The Waiting Game

Power: The Holy SpiritBrock Graham
Written By Olivia Zurawski

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Acts 1:1-5 | Have you ever taken an assessment of your life and asked the question, "Is this really what Jesus had in mind when He invited me to come follow Him?" Have you ever read the book of Acts and thought, "Does my life and does my church reflect the kind of power I see manifest in these early Jesus followers?"

But let's not forget something. They weren't exceptional people. In fact, they were no different from you and me. They were plagued with all the sin and shortcomings that you and I face. So what's the secret to the powerful work we see in the Book of Acts? Here it is: The book of Acts is simply the work of Jesus continued through His Spirit in His people! The people of the first church were a people consumed, compelled, and propelled by the Spirit of God.

And so we turn to our study in Acts this Sunday and ask the question, "What if the Spirit of God delights to overwhelm the people of God in the same way today? What if what we saw God do then is possible here and now? And how do we experience this kind of vibrant walk with Jesus in our own lives today? This week, we begin one of the most exciting sermon series journeys to date, a journey through the Acts of the Apostles.

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More from this series:

Sermons
The Savior Every Heart Longs For
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
The Savior Every Heart Longs For
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham

Acts 2:14-42 | 120 Jesus followers gathered following the days of Jesus' ascension. Then one day the Spirit came. This Spirit empowered the proclamation of Jesus. Peter preached, 3,000 got saved, and it was evident that the Holy Spirit would in fact be the power the church would need for the supernatural spread of the Jesus message. What did Peter say to the crowd that had gathered on Pentecost? What is the message he gave to the people then that is the crucial message for every heart now? What is the right response to hearing of Jesus, and have I responded to Jesus the way God calls me to? Come watch as the church grows by 26 times after one Spirit-empowered sermon that Peter preached on Pentecost. Come with unbelievers who need to hear of a Savior who has come to save them.

Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
The Holy Spirit In Us
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
The Holy Spirit In Us
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham

Acts 2:1-13 | Jesus said wait, and His people have waited. Now the wait is over, the people are gathered, and the Spirit is going to come in power.  What happened on the day of Pentecost? How did these first followers of Jesus immediately demonstrate this filling of the Holy Spirit that happened? How are we filled with the Holy Spirit today and what should be true of us if we are?

Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
While You Wait
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
While You Wait
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham

Acts 1:12-26 | Have you ever taken a 2-year-old with you while getting an oil change? You're hoping for one of those quick in and out oil changes the place promises. And then it isn't. So there you are in the waiting room with a 2-year-old waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

It is interesting to see how a 2-year-old waits. They crawl under chairs--put their face up to the window to watch the work going on in the garage, awkwardly stare at everyone else coming in and out of the waiting room. We typically wait much differently, but their waiting is more fun!

Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Spirit. He promised that when the Spirit came they would have power to be His witnesses here, near, and far. Then Jesus ascended. And there they were left in the quiet to wait. But the important takeaway from this week's passage was HOW they waited. This wasn't passive waiting but active waiting.

There is one driving takeaway from their active waiting. One thing that if we implement into seasons of waiting will change the way we wait and build trust in the waiting. What is this one thing and how do we live it out actively when God tells us to wait?

Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
God's Plan, God's Power, and Me
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
God's Plan, God's Power, and Me
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham

Acts 1:6-11 | Have you ever been invited to join something that you couldn't believe you got the privilege to be a part of? Maybe it was a team you were invited on to? Or a special project at work you were called to run point on? Maybe you were selected for a job you never expected you would have? At one time or another we all have probably paused and pinched ourselves over the privilege of being part of something bigger than ourselves. As God's people, we are God's plan to make disciples and spread his glory across the globe. We get the unbelievable privilege of being sent by God to witness about the Son of God who changes lives for the glory of God. And the best part? God has literally promised to send His Spirit to power this mission he has called us to! This Sunday, we unpack God's plan to use God's people with God's power to build God's Kingdom for God's glory. Do you understand that you are part of God's Kingdom building plan? Do you understand the privilege we have been given to witness about Jesus near and far? Do you understand the power He has promised us in His Spirit to carry this out? We are part of God's plan and we are promised God's power. 

Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
The Waiting Game
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
The Waiting Game
Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham

Acts 1:1-5 | Have you ever taken an assessment of your life and asked the question, "Is this really what Jesus had in mind when He invited me to come follow Him?" Have you ever read the book of Acts and thought, "Does my life and does my church reflect the kind of power I see manifest in these early Jesus followers?"

But let's not forget something. They weren't exceptional people. In fact, they were no different from you and me. They were plagued with all the sin and shortcomings that you and I face. So what's the secret to the powerful work we see in the Book of Acts? Here it is: The book of Acts is simply the work of Jesus continued through His Spirit in His people! The people of the first church were a people consumed, compelled, and propelled by the Spirit of God.

And so we turn to our study in Acts this Sunday and ask the question, "What if the Spirit of God delights to overwhelm the people of God in the same way today? What if what we saw God do then is possible here and now? And how do we experience this kind of vibrant walk with Jesus in our own lives today? This week, we begin one of the most exciting sermon series journeys to date, a journey through the Acts of the Apostles.

Power: The Holy Spirit, Brock Graham
Olivia Zurawski https://www.makerscc.com
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God's Plan, God's Power, and Me
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